MILWAUKEE -- A few quick thoughts now that I'm back from the locker room after Oregon's 87-68 victory Thursday afternoon against BYU in the NCAA Tournament's second round.

Much of the talk this week was about Oregon's eight players with NCAA Tournament experience and how they could translate that "been-there, done-that" experience into a valuable edge. In reality, it was remarkable how tournament rookies Richard Amardi, Joseph Young and yes, Elgin Cook, were the difference, combining for 47 points but just three turnovers. They played like veterans on a stage that can crumble confidence easily.

When Waverly Austin was called for a second foul just three minutes into the first half, the early hook read like a harbinger of a rough afternoon for Oregon's inside players. Instead, the Ducks didn't need Austin -- the player whose development this season is most identified as a turning point in UO's season -- at all. He played five minutes, didn't grab a rebound and had two points but Oregon's interior defense didn't suffer. BYU had 14 just points in the paint. It felt impressive UO could remove one of their sturdier defenders and still guard the paint well.

The Ducks beat an overmatched team, but Wisconsin won't allow Oregon to get whatever shots it likes, whenever it wants, like the Cougars. The Badgers have sped up their pace a bit this season from their formerly glacial tempo, but they still give opponents few opportunities. Oregon must make the most of them, particularly from three-point range. The Ducks shot 2-of-13, the fewest made threes of this season, and it feels like that must be improved on Saturday if UO wants to win.